Here are the morning papers for Tuesday the 10th of March:
- Even though they have fallen to the 11th seed in the Western Conference, the Ducks still think they can make the playoffs.
- Kari Lehtonen has helped Anssi Salmela in his transition to the Thrashers.
- Blake Wheeler tried his best to learn from being a healthy scratch over the weekend. Steve Montador (flu) is expected to play tonight against Columbus.
- Dominic Moore comments on the five-year anniversary of his brother’s last game in the NHL.
- The Flames realize they can improve on their past two poor outings, but they are not going to panic. Zach Parise has been just tremendous for the Devils this season, writes Randy Sportak. Predictions for tonight’s game at New Jersey.
- After last night’s victory over NYR, the Hurricanes moved from 9th in the Eastern Conference to 6th.
- With so many Blackhawks hurt, here is the team injury report.
- The Avalanche know they are basically out of the playoff race, but they still want to finish the season on a positive.
- Rick Nash is ecstatic to be in his first real playoff race of his career. In a matchup of possible Vezina candidates, it is Steve Mason versus Tim Thomas tonight.
- Brendan Morrison didn’t make a big deal of Dave Tippett’s criticism from over the weekend.
- Mike Babcock was happy he gave the Red Wings the day off on Sunday. Day off or not, Babcock has not been in a good mood lately. Tomas Holmstrom is expected to dress tonight for Detroit and Marian Hossa is expected back on Thursday.
- It looks like Dustin Penner may find himself sitting upstairs for the Oilers’ next game.
- Rostislav Olesz is about a week away from returning to the lineup. Both Nathan Horton and Bryan McCabe are injured. Panthers commentator Randy Moller is becoming a youtube hero.
- With the high-flying Canucks in town, the Kings pushed them aside and got an all important victory at the Staples Center last night. With the game on the line, Kings defensman Matt Greene blocked a shot with his forehead.
- Every game is becoming do or die for the inconsistent Minnesota Wild, writes Michael Russo. Youngster Colton Gillies is playing with more confidence lately.
- Red Fisher says Bob Gainey isn’t taking over behind the Canadiens bench for selfish reasons. Pat Hickey calls for more organizational stability. Dave Stubbs said Gainey had no choice but to make this move.
- The Predators don’t have a problem with Alexander Ovechkin’s victory celebrations, but they’d prefer he not have a chance to demonstrate his excitement against them tonight.
- It is a Sutter-built team against a Sutter-coached team tonight in Newark.
- Josh Bailey is a young player with lots of potential, but Scott Gordon is not too concerned with his offensive numbers this season.
- Stephen Valiquette gave the Rangers a chance, but they couldn’t get any offense on the board, writes Steve Zipay. Even with last night’s performance, Henrik Lundqvist may finish the season starting every game. Larry Brooks says Sean Avery was one of the best Rangers last night.
- Jason Spezza was using an illegal stick, and that resulted in a late game penalty, but the Senators killed it off and defeated the Leafs 2-1.
- Daniel Briere thinks he’ll be able to play against Buffalo tonight. Martin Biron will play tonight against his former squad.
- The Penguins’ road trip turned their season around, writes Dave Molinari. Marc-Andre Fleury played a great part in the team’s successful trip. Petr Sykora’s status for tonight’s game is up-in-the-air. Both Chris Kunitz and Bill Guerin have helped the team’s power play.
- Both Rob Blake and Evgeni Nabokov won’t play tonight in Minnesota.
- If the Blues want to make a run for the playoffs, they need to start scoring goals in the first period.
- According to coach Rick Tocchet, the Lightning still have lots to play for. Lightning winger Gary Roberts plans to announce his retirement from hockey today.
- For game with two non-playoff bound teams, the Senators/Leafs game was pretty heated last night. Mike Van Ryn is out for the season for Toronto, but at least he won’t have to rehab all summer. Ron Wilson is never boring.
- Special teams was the downfall of the Canucks last night in Los Angeles. Here’s an interview with new Canucks defenseman Ossi Vaananen.
- In an interesting piece, Bruce Boudreau talks about how to deal with a struggling team.
